San Jose Earthquakes 3-2 Los Angeles Galaxy

A Team Is Born

Sunday August 3rd, 2008
MLS - Match 19

McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, CA

Frank Yallop, said it last Friday, he wanted his team to score early because "in MLS, the first team to score often wins". Easy to say...But by pressuring the Galaxy immediately at kick off, they did everything they could to do so...And they just did!

Darren Huckerby (right), Scott Sealy (left) and Arturo Alvarez - Photo: Nap - The Project FC

After only 8 minutes, the Earthquakes were logically leading by one goal, thanks to Huckerby who, from the left side, inside the box, crossed the ball back at the 18 to Scott Sealy who just had time to push it into Arturo Alarez' run coming from behind him. After one touch, the new Quake, playing his first match for his new team, put the ball past Steve Cronin (LA Goalkeeper) with the outside of his left foot. The ball died inside the net right behind the far post (1-0, 8')

Eric Denton didn't suffer too much in front of David Beckham - Photo: Nap - The Project FC

Scoring first was important, but as we said in our match preview it was probably not going to be enough. Yallop's boys knew it and continued to pressure the Galaxy.

While Ronnie O'brien was close to finding Sealy or Alvarez on many occasions, the real danger was coming from the opposite side. With Eric Denton and Daren Huckerby on his side, Chris Klein was having a nightmare and David Beckham was often too far away to help him defending his wing.

However, they didn't finish their chances and Landon Donovan started to touch the ball more often and created a few chances. The Quakes remained more dangerous and finally, in the 40th minute they doubled their score when Eric Denton sent Huckerby on the left wing. While the English player was controlling the ball, Chris Klein, slipped, leaving the way toward the goal free. Huckerby brought the ball into the box and waited the right moment to shoot. Cronin deflected it, but not enough. (2-0, 40')

Darren Huckerby scores his second goal in two games - Photo: Nap - The Project FC

The Earthquakes seemed to have done the biggest part of the job, scoring two goals and killing the suspense early. But things couldn't be so easy and, two minutes later, the Galaxy obtained a free kick on the right side of the box. David Beckham took the kick and perfectly placed it on Donovan's head. The ball hit the bar and was cleared by the Quakes. Not for long: it came back to Beckham who repeated the exact same cross to Donovan who, this time, headed the ball on target, out of reach of Joe Cannon. (2-1, 42')

The Galaxy were coming back, but their defense showed new signs of weakness before half time and the 22 players reached the locker room with the feeling that anything could happen.

After the break, the Earthquakes didn't have enough energy to reproduce the same quality they showed in the first half. They still seemed to control the ball, but with only a one-goal lead, Los Angeles could come back at any moment. That's what happened in the 76th minute. A long ball coming from nowhere landed on Alan Gordon's chest. The forward missed his control, but Edson Buddle was there to recover it. He started an incredible slalom in the middle of two Earthquakes' defenders and placed a low shot that Joe Cannon could only deflect in his own goal. (2-2, 76')

The Earthquakes could have been discouraged, but, as a sign of the new confidence the new experienced players brought, they found enough strength to start attacking again as they did in the first half. Every time they approached the goal, the Galaxy's defense seemed to panic, conceding many corner kicks. Huckerby was taking them on the left side and O'Brien was taking them on the right side of the goal...For the same result: they ended up in Steve Cronin's gloves.

However, they kept on trying until the last minute and they were eventually rewarded: In the 90th minute, Corrales' shot was poorly cleared by Cronin. Huckerby, at the top of the box, took a powerful low shot that Cronin saved again, but the ball ended up in Ryan Cochrane's feet who just had to push it into the net (3-2, 90')

Frank Yallop would have preferred to avoid the Galaxy's come back, but, for the fans, the scenario was perfect. Their team showed a lot of solidarity today, every one running to make up for his team mate when necessary and this final goal was a deserved reward for their efforts.

Alvarez (17), Sealy (33), Lima and Huckerby (6), the 4 new players celebrate with O'Brien (7) and Denton (left): a new team is born? - Photo: Nap - The Project FC

They now need to confirm next week at Buck Shaw, against the New England Revolution, leader of the Eastern Conference.

Thierry Heumann (email)